Port Stanley beaches open just in time for regional heat warning
A heat warning remains in place for Southern Ontario Sunday, as temperatures soared throughout the weekend.
With the stay at home order lifted, the beach was the hot spot to cool off.
On Sunday, many took full advantage, finding refuge from the heat at the beaches of Port Stanley.
"It is really hot and the weather is beautiful... I think more than ever, people are going to be at the beach because there is nothing else to do," says beach-goer Ahmed Zabian.
Ross Hepburn, Port Stanley local, scouts Sunday’s turnout.
"This is busy. This is probably the busiest day of this year."
At first glance it appears that the beaches are packed to the brim with people with not much physically distancing measures enforced.
But drone footage capturing sights from above the beach shows a different perspective - more spacing between groups visible.
View from above: Port Stanley beach goers enjoy the heat on Sunday June 6, 2021
Port Stanley beach from above (Source: Paul Redman)
"When you look from here it looks crowded but if you walk down the beach there is more than 6 feet between people," says Hepburn.
"We are happy for them to use the beach as long as they do it safely."
Central Elgin mayor Sally Martyn says if you are visiting the beach, it is important to play by the rules, by only visiting with members from the same household and by keeping your distance from others.
"I am not policing them, they have to do that pretty much on their own. They have to do things safely because we want everyone to be able to enjoy it."
Martyn says that four bylaw officers will be surveying the beach using an educational approach for any wrong doings.
She adds that there is only so much parking available for beach visitors and OPP are out ticketing those who park illegally.
"You really have no way to control the numbers but it’s important that the people who come follow the safety rules, and on the whole, last year they did and I am assuming they will this year so they have the right to use the beach."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
'Sophisticated' cyberattacks detected on B.C. government networks, premier says
There has been a "sophisticated" cybersecurity breach detected on B.C. government networks, Premier David Eby confirmed Wednesday evening.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
Biden says he will stop sending bombs and artillery shells to Israel if they launch major invasion of Rafah
U.S. President Joe Biden said for the first time Wednesday he would halt shipments of American weapons to Israel, which he acknowledged have been used to kill civilians in Gaza, if Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders a major invasion of the city of Rafah.
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs to start for Canucks in Game 1 vs. Oilers
Rookie goalie Arturs Silovs will start in net for the Canucks as Vancouver kicks off a second-round series against the Edmonton Oilers Wednesday night.
Nijjar murder suspect says he had Canadian study permit in immigration firm's video
One of the Indian nationals accused of murdering British Columbia Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar says in a social media video that he received a Canadian study permit with the help of an Indian immigration consultancy.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.